![]() There are also a large number of college sports to watch, thanks to the NCAA Division One Ohio State Buckeyes, and a minor league baseball team, the Columbus Clippers, which is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.įamily-friendly Columbus things to do include going on one of the many tours of the area, such as the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway attending the Ohio State Fair and spending some time at the Columbus Zoo, home of famed zoologist Jack Hanna. Sports fans can enjoy taking in a professional hockey or soccer game or attend a PGA tour event. No Columbus guide is complete without mentioning the many museums, historical sites, festivals, tours, and sporting events that are in and around the city on a regular basis or held occasionally throughout the year. There are plenty of things to do in Columbus and a wide array of activities to suit any personality. MORPC’s purpose is to bring communities of all sizes and interests together to collaborate on best practices and planning for the future of the region.Columbus is more than just the home of Ohio State University. William Murdock is executive director at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. We can fix frustrating transportation mistakes around the region, improve safety and commutes, create new options from trains to trails, build new routes for freight and transit, and be more competitive for businesses and jobs. 1950s thinking is not the way to prepare for 2050.įor much less, we can move forward with all the better big ideas above to dramatically improve everyone’s quality of life. A project of such size and impact could make some hometowns unrecognizable, involve extensive use of eminent domain, and divert resources away from other necessary projects.Ī second outerbelt is an idea that neither fixes today’s problems nor readies us for the future. It could disrupt over 10,000 acres of prime farmland and beautiful natural areas. That’s about five times what the Ohio Department of Transportation spent last year on highways for all of Ohio. The second outerbelt, a topic of recent conversation and has been discussed many times since I-270 was proposed in the 1950s.īy MORPC’s preliminary estimates, a second outerbelt would involve building more than 150 miles of new highway at a potential cost of $10 to $15 billion. Extensive projects for walking and biking safety are critical. Furthering initiatives like Vision Zero Columbus could prevent 100s of deaths and 1000s of injuries annually. These would elevate access to nature, drive economic development, and connect neighborhoods left behind.Īnd there are big ideas to improve safety. We could build out the regional trails system with plans for 500 new miles, create dedicated bike lanes, and invest in transformative efforts like RAPID5. We should invest in a robust regional transit network to improve rural transit and build upon the Central Ohio Transit Authority’s innovative mobility projects. LinkUS could create new rapid, reliable transit to spur needed housing, new access to jobs, and better service for those who need it most. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconnect Columbus and rural Ohio to the nation’s passenger rail network, starting with quick service to Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, and possibly Chicago, Detroit, or Pittsburgh. Another big idea?Ĭreate new options with trains, transit, and trails. We should expect a system that serves everyone with more choices, from the heart of the city to growing hometowns. ![]() With focus, we could finish long-awaited projects along I-70 and I-71. They include important freight routes at Rickenbacker and beyond. Significant work is underway to ensure the project is well-served, but we should rally around efforts to improve the roads, bridges, trails, and transit needed for growth, safety, and quality of life.Įxisting roads and highways around the region need upgrades. Plans envision major improvements to existing routes, smart technology projects, and new connections in growing Delaware and Fairfield Counties. With Intel, supporting the transportation needs of Licking County and nearby communities is vital. Improve our current system project by project across the region. One way is through our transportation planning: using big ideas to create better options for everyone. We need big thinking so as we grow bigger, we can get better.Īt the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, we work with communities to create an environment for prosperity. Growth brings urgent clarity to invest in both necessary and transformative projects. Investments from Intel, Honda, and others confirm what we already know: this is a great place to call home. Together we’ve built a growing region vibrant with opportunities, one that’s attracting new people and businesses and enticing our children and graduates to stay. This is an exciting time for Central Ohio. Published in the Columbus Dispatch, January 31, 2023
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